Italian Phrase
Chi suona stasera?
Meaning
Literally ‘Who plays tonight?’, this question is used to find out which musician, band or ensemble will be performing later in the evening. It works for concerts, street performances, house parties, or any situation where music is expected.
When to use
Use it when you’re planning to go out, meeting friends, or simply curious about the line‑up of a local event. It’s informal but perfectly acceptable in both casual conversation and when speaking with venue staff.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Chisuonastasera?
Chi (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask about a person; it does not change for gender or number.
suona (present indicative)
Third‑person singular of the verb *suonare* (to play music). No subject pronoun is needed because the verb ending already indicates the subject.
stasera (adverb of time)
Means ‘this evening / tonight’. It can be replaced by *questa sera* for a slightly more formal tone.
🗨In Conversation
Chi suona stasera?
Who is playing tonight?
Domani suona il quartetto di jazz al bar del centro.
The jazz quartet is playing at the downtown bar tonight.
✕Common Mistakes
Che suona stasera?
‘Che’ asks for a thing, not a person. Use *chi* when you want to know who.
Chi suonare stasera?
After *chi* you need the conjugated verb, not the infinitive.
Chi suona questa sera?
Grammatically correct but less natural in spoken Italian; *stasera* is preferred in casual dialogue.
↔Alternatives
Chi si esibisce stasera?
Who is performing tonight?
Chi si esibirà questa sera?
Who will perform this evening?
Qual è il programma per stasera?
What’s the program for tonight?
Cultural Tip
In Italy ‘suonare’ is the go‑to verb for any musical performance, from a solo guitarist to a full orchestra. Native speakers often add the venue or the style for clarity (e.g., *Chi suona al teatro stasera?*). Remember that *stasera* is more colloquial, while *questa sera* sounds a bit more formal and is common in written announcements.